Traveller reviews

"The apartments were lovely, clean with friendly staff at the pool side bar. Although we tended to use the pool at the hotel across the road which was really nice and in the sun all day. There is a 10 min walk to the beach, and 15mins to the resort centre. We found a cocktail bar called the Castle with the most amazing cocktails, and we said we would go back to Lanzarote just for this bar!

Lots of restaurants to choose from and a market in the square once a week. A good pizzeria open late on the same street as the apartments, which was good if you were feeling peckish on the way home, also near by was a mini golf centre.

Would definitely go back, and would love to stay in these apartments again as the location was ideal and the standards were high. The only let down was the aqua park, after being to other water parks in Spain and Portugal this one didn't really stand up, but was ok for half a day. Also we felt that our rep could have been more helpful on guiding us to the resort centre as we were simply told to follow the road to the right at the end of the road. All in all a great holiday."

by J Gibson

8/ 10

2 readers found this review helpful.
Did you?
Yes

I've been to Lanzarote several times...

"I've been to Lanzarote several times now, although this trip was with my girlfriend as opposed to my family, which made things very different because the island caters for both families and young couples, with different activities available for both.

It was my girlfriends first time here, and she was very unsure when she first arrived, the scenery is very different and quite different to what we're used to in England. After settling in though, we were both having a riot.

We chose Costa Teguise knowing that it was traditionally a family resort, we are not party hard people and like exploring culture and going on trips. We actually booked this on an allocated on arrival deal, and were very pleased with our choice.

It was about a 5 minute walk from the nearest beach, which is famous for its windsurfing schools, and about a further 5 minute walk from the main resort centre which was full of bars, restaurants and local travel agents.

Our apartment was nice and clean, spacious for two people. We were worried about how small the pool was on arrival, but actually not many people use it because the beach is so close by, and everyone's more worried about tans.

Sun beds as always is an issue with the usual towel hogging - although we didn't notice any Germans... We weren't too bothered about sun beds, especially with a nice beach nearby and tanning isn't really us anyway.

Los Carmenes had a sister hotel just over the road, which has bigger apartments and is equally as nice. Having said nice, you get what you pay for, cheap accommodation but it's built to a nice, decent standard. I'd be happy to have children running around here if I had any.

There's more facilities here than at Los Carmenes, although most people wouldn't need to use them (i.e. Internet Cafes and Pool tables). The staff were pleasant and the cleaners came to sweep 4 times a week, greeting with a friendly 'Hola' if you are in the apartment.

The apartment is situated in a small square, which consists of two small mini-markets which have all the food you need for self-catering, as well as a good selection of restaurants, car hire firms and the Lanzarote Aquarium. For us, this was a bonus, we had all the facilities within a minutes walk, but it wasn't busy and noisy like the resort centre.

We were happy with our accommodation, although we did hear complaints from other guests, such as cockroaches (common on this island) and rude staff (polite to us though, certainly if you treat them with respect).

In fact we broke two glasses and a plate, and reception just laughed it off when we decided to report it, without charging us a cent.

The staff in the bigger mini-market were always stroppy though, so we opted for the smaller mini-market just next door instead where the local staff were much friendlier.

We spent most of the time travelling around the island - including using the local bus (which is far easier and cheaper than using English buses!) to hop between the main resorts on the island. Puerto Del Carmen is famous for its watersports, and we had a go on jet skis which was fun!

There's a huge beach here when you get off the bus, you wouldn't struggle to find space for your towel here. The port is a good 15 minutes walk away, and has various boat trips, although we were disappointed with ours.

If you find the very small beach near here (10 minutes to the left of the main port along the coast, just after the jet skis and public toilets), you'll discover a nice cove that is popular with scuba diving schools and locals.

You'll be puzzled why it's popular when you see how small the beach is, but putting your head under the water will make you realise; schools of fish swimming around near the surface! Definitely bring goggles here and some old bread to feed them, they go mad. Perfect underwater camera opportunity.

We also went on a coach excursion, being on a tight budget we took no notice of the rep 'deals' and found good deals with local travel agents (in the shops, not people selling on the streets - that's a bit too dodgy). We went on an island tour and had a fab local who could speak English well and could tell us more about their way of life and the history of culture on the island.

The fire mountain visit is DEFINITELY worth going to, as is Jaemos De Aqua, both are places you'd not find elsewhere on this planet.

There's generally a lot to see around the island, you'll have to be prepared to venture out of Costa Teguise to see the more extravagant stuff. If you are able to, hiring a car for a day is well worth the money. I was surprised to learn that I was able to hire, despite being 21 years of age, and all the legal documents certainly seemed above board.

If you invest in a travel book or do the research before you leave home, you can carefully plan a trip round the island in day and see the most fantastic sites - particularly the ones the coaches can't reach. Most car hire places sell maps cheaply, which is definitely worth buying as it's very easy to get lost.

We got lost thousands of times (all at the bottom of the island, easier to navigate the north), but that added to the fun and adventure. We stopped off at Playa Blanca beach, which took us ages to find (have to find a dirt track to drive along to get to the national park entrance).

The best bit was the very North of the Island, at the viewpoints where you can get fantastic bird eye views of the very small islands just off Lanzarote from the top of a very tall cliff!

We spent two weeks here, on a budget of about £350, sticking mostly to buying food from the mini-markets and spending more on trips. Restaurants are not expensive, but not cheap, but travel is considerably less expensive than in Britain.

A return bus fare cost us about £2 each to Puerto Del Carmen (40 mins away on the bus), and a day's car (Modern Seat Ibiza) hire cost us just 50 euros (about £30), including petrol with a local car hire firm. If you're not too fussed with eating pasta, self made tortilla wraps etc you can do significantly a lot more exploring on a small budget.

All in all - good holiday and we felt we got a bargain for what we paid for (about £350 each). Los Carmenes apartment do have their own contact details and seem to offer good accommodation prices, so it might be possible to get a cheaper deal if a suitable flight is found.

Although we don't plan to go again soon because we want to explore other places, we definitely want to go back, maybe if we have kids!"

by xandercliff

9/ 10

3 readers found this review helpful.
Did you?
Yes

I went on my first family holiday...

"I went on my first family holiday here and I would recommend it to anyone.

I think it was a very clean apartment and got cleaned everyday, except Wednesday.

The only down fall to this hotel was the freezing cold pool! Which isn't always like that.

I think the staff at this hotel were really friendly and so were the cleaning staff.

The pool bar staff were also friendly. I am visiting this hotel again in October for my babies first holiday and that's because I know my baby will be in a clean environment.

I think the pubs and restaurants are also clean around the hotel too. Especially Cactus Jacks!

The shopping centre and beach is also close by. That's all I have to say for now - I'll add more once back in October. This is a great hotel!"

by L Dunn

10/ 10

2 readers found this review helpful.
Did you?
Yes

Just arrived back from a great week...

"Just arrived back from a great week at Los Carmenes Apartments in Costa Teguise.

Apartments are basic but comfortable if you are not looking for luxury. The complex and pool are cleaned daily (still absolutely freezing though). Our apartment was cleaned twice in the week we were staying, beds changed, towels changed, all floors were swept and mopped.

John and Jean who run the pool side bar are fantastic company and the food is great, service was brilliant, really impressive. They also have the bamboozles pub next door to the apartments, which always has a good atmosphere and a good laugh was had by all every time we were in.

The apartments are in a good location, surrounded by places to eat and drink but not too far away from the main centre where there’s are more pubs and places to eat."

by G Keyes

8/ 10

2 readers found this review helpful.
Did you?
Yes

The standard of apartments is to say...

"The standard of apartments is to say the least very poor.

Towels and sheets only changed once in a two week period, paint and plaster dropping off the walls, dirty furniture and fittings, dirty water tipped in to bath, light fittings hanging loose from ceiling. No interest from reception.

I would not recommend anyone to book these apartments."

by P Halliwell

1/ 10

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes

Had a great time in the Carmenes...

"Had a great time in the Carmenes Apartments.

Great location near the Las Cucharas beach, shops and restaurants. Nice relaxing complex.

Apartments were cleaned regularly and everyone was very helpful. Apartments basically furnished but very clean.

We were disheartened to hear that the apartments were up for sale and would probably not be able to book for next year - so we brought one!"

by T Flint

9/ 10

1 reader found this review helpful.
Did you?
Yes

Just returned from a week’s holiday...

"Just returned from a week’s holiday at Los Carmenes. Went last year and will be going again next year. Complex great, very friendly sociable atmosphere around the pool, have made lots of friends from going to this complex. Apartment’s quite basic but clean with maids coming in most days. Pool is cleaned every day and is quite cold but gives welcome relief to the hot sunny days.

What can I say about John and Jean at the poolside bar - very welcoming, they remember you from previous visits and you feel like part of the family by the time you leave. They do a fab English breakfast with English bacon - can't be beat and their burgers are pretty good as well! They also run Bamboozles round the corner which has a great atmosphere and a lot of people from the Los Carmenes end up there so it's very friendly. Great measures, great atmosphere and great people - what more can you ask for?

Oh and a special mention for Hagrid the cat, wouldn't be the same without you - meow!"

by J Heaton

10/ 10

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes

First impressions of the apartment...

"First impressions of the apartment was small and claustrophobic. There was bad dampness on the ceiling in both the kitchen area and the bathroom. This was extremely off putting, and the whole first evening was ruined with my girlfriend being very disappointed.

Another major downfall to the start of our holiday was the problem of checking in. We were dropped at the hotel across the street to check in as the reception at los carmenes is not 24hours. The receptionist there was really rude and we then had to lug our cases across the road into our apartments. Not a great start!

After a disappointing first evening the next day we decided to just get on with the holiday we were so excited about having. The pool area of the hotel is small, but has a great atmosphere and is kept very clean.

The two receptionists at los carmenes are helpful to some extent, but they won’t go out there way for you. Our first confrontation with them came when we had to purchase a safe key and two fans for our room on the 1st day. The rooms are so hot, with NO fans and the heat is unbearable. However the fans are quite expensive. It cost us 54euros on our first day for two fans and a safe key. I think this is a complete rip off, but then we probably wouldn’t have got an ounce of sleep without them.

Food around the area isn’t too good. You need to travel up to the main part of costa teguise for something decent to eat, and there are loads of restaurants there. There’s a place called La Pardella which you must try. The steak is cooked to perfection. However, that was the only good meal we had the whole time we were there, the rest were very poor.

Try and avoid being conned into any excursions with Thomas cook. They are completely over priced and you are probably better to organise your trips other ways. There are some leaflets in reception where the prices are better and the excursions seem more organised, look at these before your welcome meeting with the rep.

Aqua park makes a great day out. It cost only 3euros to get there by taxi and about 18euros each to get in, it is well worth it though.

The apartments themselves got better as the days went on, kinda felt a bit more homely towards the end... the cleaners in our block seemed to do absolutely nout though.... think our sheets were changed only once.

The holiday overall was great, providing you have great company with you, like i did, you can entertain yourself.... it’s quite a romantic place.

Don’t forget to pop into legends... happy hour is between 8pm to 9.30pm, well worth it.

One more thing you should be aware of, if you have a late flight when leaving, there is nowhere safe to put your luggage while you enjoy the day. You can keep your room on a Thursday at an extra charge, but if your checking out on Sunday, unlucky for you. We had to vacate our rooms at 10am and had until 7.20pm hot and bothered. We had to leave our cases in reception all day which didn’t feel very safe as anyone can walk in and out of the complex. There is no where to shower before you leave so be prepared for a long hot and uncomfortable day."

by L Cox

7/ 10

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes

Los Carmenes is a lovely place it...

"Los Carmenes is a lovely place it only has about 50 apartments all which are extremely clean and tidy.

Cleaners were there everyday and towels were changed tree times in the week we were there.

John and Jean at the pool bar are great, and the surrounding area is fantastic too! The pool is freezing cold but alright after a few dips, our rep Nicky was great and we had a fantastic time are returning in October for 2 weeks."

by E Walton

10/ 10

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes

Basic clean apartments no kettle or...

"Basic clean apartments no kettle or toaster unless you want to hire - just boil a pan for water and cheap enough to eat out all the time - try Ferraris for breakfast and cactus jacks for happy hour.

Weather mixed whilst we were here for 2 weeks but went for a chill out and did just that. Jean and John are very friendly poolside bar and bamboozles - good measures on drinks. Would go again."

by J Boden

7/ 10

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes

3rd time me and hubby have been to...

"3rd time me and hubby have been to the Los Carmenes, and we always enjoy ourselves.

The apartments at the Carmenes are very basic, but are kept very clean and the cleaning and hotel staff are all very friendly and helpful.

Due to the location of the apartments, there is not a lot to keep you occupied so be prepared for either a very chilled relaxing holiday, or to take a walk to the Las Churacas centre, which is only 10 mins or so away.

No entertainment at all at this little complex. There is a pool bar, which is under new management now. There are snacks served from 9am-6pm at the pool bar and Jean and John, who run it are a nice cheerful couple who will go out of their way to help guests. Pool bar food is good, beer is better and the good company and general friendliness of all around the pool bar make the stay worth while.

Unfortunately very little for children/teenagers to do at this complex, there is a pool, albeit quite small, and never very warm!

Theses apartments are excellent for budget conscious holiday makers, and are much more suited to older persons who just want to escape the hustle and bustle.

We will be going again for Christmas 06."

by A J Ryder

8/ 10

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes

Having read various comments...

"Having read various comments regarding this accommodation, good and bad, we are able to say that for a budget holiday it was well worth the money. It was very well kept rooms were clean bar and pool area were managed excellently.

The only complaint we had was that the pool bar closed at 7.00pm and because there were no other bars at the apartments we couldn’t socialize with other holiday makers."